Battery connector and fuse



Nov. 23, 1948.

C- E. STORCK, JR

BATTERY CONNECTOR AND FUSE Filed April 24, 1945 Patented Nov. 23, 1948 UNITED PATEN 2,454,437 Wear QQN E E we was C arence Edward St r Liithe illa Milemin nt ev l $.1 194?, iaW9 99 9 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to battery connections and particularly to those employed with storage batteriesf The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved battery connection that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art and also provide a battery connection that will afford fuse protection of the leads from a battery. An additional ob} ject is to have such a battery connection'arr'angd so that it will open and close readily when suclia'n' operationis desired."

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

In a particular form of the invention shown in the drawings which outlines the invention in connection with the attached description, the scope of which is pointed out in the claim, other objects will become evident. Referring now to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a battery connector embodying this invention,

'Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1,

Figure 3"is a sectional view taken along line 3 of Figure showing the connector attached to a battery, and

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 3, but with the connector open and ready for removal from or placement on a battery terminal.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the drawings represents a conventional binding post of a storage battery. The connection employed in this invention consists of lug ll integrally connected with a fuse block end l2 that has clips 13 for holding one end of a fuse N. The other end of the fuse is inserted in a clip [5 mounted on a fuse block [6. This fuse block l6 and that of fuse block l2 have their side portions [1 and 18 respectively arranged to take insulated pieces 20 to support and keep them separated and insulated from each other. They are suitably fastened in place by th screws I9.

The connector is used for coupling a binding post H] with an extraneous network. The extension part 21 and the cap piece 25 form a split socket suitable for slipping over the bindin post. It is tilted angularly during placement, and clamped thereon when straightened out in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. For convenience the portion of the device between the socket and the lug H is termed the fuse holder. The fuse holder includes the fuse clips l3 and I5, their supporting conducting bases l2, l6, links I! 2 and I8 and removable insulating blocks 20, togethenwith the fuse 14 when inserted therein.

. All the parts excepting their'isulating 'blocks" '2'0 are or" metal or conducting material-"for current to "pass across. connector has a number of valuabie features." Its' socket slips "in place on the binding post 'easilybefore clamping thereon. Then with a movement 'of'the fuse holder like'a lever, the 'fuse holder portion oftlie' socket is bent down to a straightened position"andfaste ned to the post. The round d" formof theeap'pieee 25', enables the connector "to be installed without damage to the battery or generator on"which"th e binding post is mounted or the handsbf the operator. This term" is: easy to handle. 'The holder'can beharidld without causing electrical effects to inconvenience the user; if he "handles it by holding the insulatir'i'g'blocks '26. Th'efuse is in ah open well which'k'e'eps it wellVehtiIated', and.- eriables' it to be replaced- 'or 're'movedwith facility." The links "H a'nd'l8keep' the post an lug'poittionsseparated. They also serveto' 're'ii'i force the holder andrnake' its structure strong. The mgis co veniently arra g ancest ies pactly' set in the connectoraspbss'ible;'while'at the same time being easy to connect to. The inclusion of the fuse not only protects the equipment that is fed from the binding post, but also afiords an easy means of opening the battery circuit. This is done by removing the fuse bodily. The springs 21 give a quasi-automatic action to the operation of placing the socket in proper position on and off the binding post in cooperation with the hinge 26. They do not forcibly bring the parts of the socket together on the post. They simply facilitate the manipulation of the socket on the holder in a manner not dangerous or injurious to the fingers of the user, as older types sometimes are. Since the insulating blocks 20 are removable by unloosening the screws l9, the parts of the holder can be separated for inspection, cleaning and replacement in a very easy way. If the fuse should be frozen in from any cause, it can be reached from either side as Well as the top by detaching one of the blocks 20. This arrangement also enables the lug end portion of the holder to be completely separated if necessary or desirable, without detaching the socket from the binding post or the lug from the cable that may be soldered into it. This is an added convenience available at all times for any special requirement that may arise.

The fuse block it has an extension part 21 drilled in a tapered and cylindrical manner at 22 to fit on to the binding post 10. It is also milled out in front at 23 to receive coordinating side pieces 24 belon ing to a cap piece 25 forming the remainder of the structure of this block that holds it on the binding post. The cap piece 25 has a cylindrical slot 39 to clam the binding post l0. Pins 26 pass through the block l6 and the cap piece 25 and serve to hinge the parts together. A pair of flat springs 21 ar inserted in these parts at 28 to resiliently keep the fuse blocks aligned and horizontal with each other. The raising of the fuse blocks angularly with respect to the cap piece 25 brings their faces 28 against the face 29 of the cap piece so that the latter is forced out and tends to disengage oil the binding ill, or at least release itself therefrom. In the reverse direction, the blocks and springs 21 tend to cause a tightening on the binding post It]. It can be readily appreciated from the drawings, that the removal or replacement of the fuse, can be taken care of in the customary manner. The quasi-dove tailing of the fuse block l6 and the cap piece 25 keep the electrical and mechanical connection between them in a substantial manner.

While but two general forms of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

A combination fuse and binding post connector comprising in combination, a lug element including a fuse connection coupled thereto, a split socket including an extension part having a predetermined surface arranged for electrical coupling to a binding post by being similarly conformed on one portion thereof and a cap piece hinged at an upper portion to the upper portion of said extension part so the socket can open up underneath and formed to fit around another portion of said binding post, said extension part also including another fuse connection mechanically symmetrical with the first mentioned fuse connection whereby said connections can hold a fuse connectable between them, insulating blocks removably attached to the said element and bridging over to said extension part to electrically and mechanically separate each from the other while at the same time holding them in rigid physical alignment with each other, and forming assembled a fuse holder, and fiat springs attached to said extension part and cap piece and joining the split socket together without obstructing the operation of the hinge to position the lug element and extension part at an angle to said cap piece when normally the latter is not attached to said binding post and bein subject to straight line alignment when placed on said binding post and the said holder including the extension parts swung on said hinge with an edge of the holder fulcrumed on a portion of the binding post, whereby leverage pressure on the holder will draw the cap piece and extension part of the holder in closer contact with said binding post and electrically couple the lug element through the fuse and connections, said extension part and cap piece to provide a fused coupling between the binding post and the lug element, with said springs holding them rigidly in a position encompassing the binding post when in said straight line alignment after being forced therein and until said holder is forcibly tilted back to its angular unloosened position again.

CLARENCE EDWARD STORCK, J11.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,648,914 Roy Nov. 15, 1927 1,822,883 Chandler Sept. 5, 1931 1,943,190 Sands Jan. 9, 1934 2,185,419 Packard Jan. 2, 1940 2,288,680 Chandler July 7, 1942 

